Magnetic assembly having latching means storing energy to produce useful work

ABSTRACT

A magnetic device includes a means for producing a magnetic field associated with a first armature and a second armature each of which is associated with a corresponding helix volute spring that is compressed when the corresponding armature is magnetically attracted. The magnetic force developed between the first magnet and such means is only slightly greater than the force than being exerted by its then compressed volute spring. The second armature in its attracted position lessens the attractive force between the first armature and such means sufficiently below that force exerted by its volute spring such that the energy previously stored in such volute springs may be effective to propel the first armature together with the second armature away from such means.

United States Patent [1 9.1

Hadjisky 11 1 3,775,716 [45'] Nov. 27, 1973 I MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY HAVING LATCIIING MEANS STORING ENERGY TO PRODUCE USEFUL WORK John Hadjisky, Sofia, Bulgaria Assignee: Joann Stoyanova, Pasadena, Calif.

Filed: Nov. 10, 1972 Appl. No.: 305,613

[75] Inventor:

Int. Cl. .Q H0lf 7/08 References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,449,212 3/1923 Berry "335/170 X US; 0..., 335/253, 335/170v 1 Field of Search, 335/170, 253, 254

Primary Examiner-George Harris Attorney-Charles G. Lyon et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT tracted position lessens the attractive force between the first armature and such means sufficiently below that force exerted by'its' 'volute spring such that the energy previously storedin such volute springs may be effective to propel the-first armature together with the second armature away from such means.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures /4 $.26 N i o l MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY HAVING LATCHING MEANS STORING ENERGY TO PRODUCE USEFUL WORK vices.

Another object of'thepresent invention is to provide an improved device in which magnetic-energy may be first transformed intostored energy in a spring and then released to produce useful work.

Another object of the present invention is'to provide an improveddevice in which energy derived from a magnetic structure may be used to propel an object.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularityin the appended claims. This invention itselflboth as to its organization and manner of operation, together with fura non-magnetizeable aperturedgplate on which the magnet is secured by brackets :14 with the end of such magnetic means '10, extendingtherethrongh and providing a magnetic pole as forexample anorth pole N.

. Extending downwardly from plate 12 are a first.pair of abutments 15, 16 which provideseats for'the smaller end of corresponding volute helix compressionsprings 17,18; and a second pairof longerabutments 19, 20 which provide seats for the smallerendof corresponding volute helix compression springs 21, 22.

, Pivotally mountedonj the mounting plate .12 is a pair of latching elements 23, ZAhaving hooked-portions 23A, 24A which are spring urged "towards eachother by corresponding tension springs 25, 26,. a

The other lower end of eachof springs :17, 18 are adapted to bear. against a plate 28 which maybe of non-magnetizeable material and "which mounts an armature 30 of magnetizeablematerial.

The other lower end of each of springs '21, 22 is adapted tojbear against a plate 34 which may be of non-magnetizeable material and which mounts an armature 36 of magnetizeable material.

In operation of the device initiallythearmature 30 is positioned by means not shown as illustrated inyFlG. 1 within the magnetic field produced bymagneticmeans 10 which causes a magnetic attraction (of sufficient strength to move the armature 30 upwardinto itsposition shown in FIG. 2. During such movement the springs l7, 18 are progressively compressed and the .ends of plate 28 ride over thehooked portions 23A,

24A which are urged by springs 25,126 into latching position or engagement as shown in FIG. 2. In the position shown in FIG. 2 the attractiveforce:acting -atmatu 30 is sufficiently large to maintain the armature in such attracted position rs, in thatconditionshown in FIG.

In FIG. 3 the magnetic attractive forces between armature 30 and magnetic rneans 10 is lessened sufficiently by the their proximity of armature 36 to armature 30 and magnetic means 10 such that in the condition shown in FIG. 3 the force exerted by springs l7, l8 are'now larger than the attractive force between means 10 and armature 30 so that when, as shown in FIG.4.the latch arms 23, 24 are moved apart by means not shown but which may be accomplished manually the ,force of spring 17, 18 and 21, 22 cause the armatures 30, 36 to be propelled with great velocity as a result of the release of a the energy previously stored in Sp n 7 a .For these purposes the use of volute type springs instead of a linear type such as a cylindrical type is preferred. A volute type spring has a force-distance characteristic which is non-linear because the force necessaryto compress .the same increases more than in direct -;proportion to the distance between the ends of the 'It is considered important that there be a substantial match between on the one hand the non-linear forcedistancecharacteristic curve of the springs used and on the other handthe-non linear force-distance characteristic curve Of the magnetic structure.

Following these teaching it is thenpossible as describedabove' to effect a change in condition from FIG.

2 to FIG. 3 wherein in the former case in FIG. 2 the .magneticattractionforce between means'lfl and arma- =ture 3,0is slightlygreaterthan the force exertedby the compressed springs :17, 18 to the condition in FIG. 3

where the opposite is true, i.e.,.the magnetic force between armature 3.0 and means 10 is somewhat less than .that force produced bysprings l7, 18 in which case the force of spring .17, 18 are greater than the attractive :forces'between on the one hand the magnetic means 10 .andontheother hand the armatures 30, 36 considered jointly.

:Preferably also in FIG. 3 the magnetic attractive force between armature 36 and'magnet 10 is only slightly greater than the sum of the forces developed in springs 21, 22 so that the armature 36 remains in its attracted position shown in FIG. 3 preparatory to releasing the latching means 23, 24:

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the inven- :tion in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changesand modifications as fall within the trne spirit and s ape of this invention.

I claim:

1. In combination; meins producing a magnetic field; first armature means; first spring means acting between said first armature means and said field producing means which is stressed when and as said first armature means is attracted and is moved by said field producing means to an attracted portion; second armature means attracted by and moved by said field producing means to an attracted position; the force of attraction beween said first armature means and said field producing means in the attracted position of said first armature means being greater than the force exerted by said first spring means; said second armature means in its attracted position causing said force of attraction beween said first armature means and said field producing means to be less than the force exerted by said first spring means.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including means effective in said attracted position of said first armature for preventing movement of said first annature means by said first spring means.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said preventing means comprises self latching means which is operated in movement of said first armature means to its'attracted position.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said spring means is a helix volute spring.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4, a second helix volute spring means, said second armature means compressing said second spring means when and as said second armature means is moved to its attracted position.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including means for preventing movement of said first armature means from its attracted position during movement of said second armature means to its attracted position.

7. The combination as setifo'rth in claim 6 in which said preventing means is a self'lat ching means operated by said first armature means in its'ti'avel to its attracted position.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which each of said volute springs have a force-distance characteristic curve substantially matching the forcedistance characteristic of the corresponding armature means.

9. The combination'as set forth in claim 8 in which said first armature means in its attracted position is closer to said field producing means than is said second armature means in its attracted position. 

1. In combination; meins producing a magnetic field; first armature means; first spring means acting between said first armature means and said field producing means which is stressed when and as said first armature means is attracted and is moved by said field producing means to an attracted portion; second armature means attracted by and moved by said field producing means to an attracted poSition; the force of attraction beween said first armature means and said field producing means in the attracted position of said first armature means being greater than the force exerted by said first spring means; said second armature means in its attracted position causing said force of attraction beween said first armature means and said field producing means to be less than the force exerted by said first spring means.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including means effective in said attracted position of said first armature for preventing movement of said first armature means by said first spring means.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said preventing means comprises self latching means which is operated in movement of said first armature means to its attracted position.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said spring means is a helix volute spring.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 4, a second helix volute spring means, said second armature means compressing said second spring means when and as said second armature means is moved to its attracted position.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including means for preventing movement of said first armature means from its attracted position during movement of said second armature means to its attracted position.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said preventing means is a self latching means operated by said first armature means in its travel to its attracted position.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which each of said volute springs have a force-distance characteristic curve substantially matching the force-distance characteristic of the corresponding armature means.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said first armature means in its attracted position is closer to said field producing means than is said second armature means in its attracted position. 